Refutation of the Errors Toleration Erastianism Independency and Separation, Sermon 3

Refutation of the Errors Toleration Erastianism Independency and Separation · Sermon 3

p. 313A SERMON PREACHED AT KILWINNING, MAY 11th. 1663. Upon the Munday immediatly after the Giving of the COMMUNION.

The Third SERMON.

LUKE 7. 23.

And blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in Me.

Beloved in the Lord,

THAT place 1 Cor. 1. 23.—We Preach Christ crucified unto the Jews a stumbling block,— hath had its accomplishment in all Ages, and in no Age more than in this; Jesus Christ and p. 314His way of working, both with Churches and Particular Souls, hath been a stone of stumbling and rock of offence to many; yea moe and moe are stumbling still, what through one occasion or other; many who once did seem to run well in the way to Heaven, in the way of Truth, and in the way of Piety, have either already taken up, or are in hazard to take up, such an halt, as Christ may be conceived to say, to those very few who seem resolv'd to follow him through Better and Worse, as once he said Joh. 6. 67. VntoUnto the twelve (when many of his Disciples went back and walked no more with him) will ye also go away? I have therefore chosen this Text to speak from, now immediatly after having engaged your selves to walk in Christs Way, that thereby ye may guard against that woeful common evil of Being offended in Christ, or of stumbling and taking up an halt in his Way of Truth and Piety, notwithstanding all the stumbling blocks and rocks of offence ye may meet with: For Blessed is he (saith Christ) whosoever shall not be offended in me. The Words are a Part of Christs Answer to that Question propounded to Him by Two of John's Disciples at John's desire, verse 20.—Art thou he that should come, or look we for another? Ye may wonder that John who knew Christ so well, should have moved such a Question: But the Answer is, First, Tho Souls know Christ never so well, they'l desire and have need to know him better, and to get what knowledge they have of him confirmed to them, especially in the day of Trial; For John was now in Prison▪ And 2dly. They'l desire that p. 315others may know him also; For it appeareth from what goeth before, that John propoundeth this Question for his Disciples satisfaction, and to satisfy their Doubts more than his own.

Christ's Answer hath two Parts▪ 1. He bids them shew John what they saw him doing, Verse 22.—Tell Iohn (saith he) what things ye have seen and heard, how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the Gospel is preached. If ye ask what makes this to the Answer of the Question; I answer, It maketh much, for it shews he was doing that which Scripture foretold the Messias would do, Isai. 35. 5, 6. And therefore he behoved to be the Messias. 2. In thir words he answereth a main Objection against this Truth taken from Christ's own low condition and the practice of his Followers, which made many bear off him: For they expected a Glorious Messias, a Great earthly Monarch; And because Christ was but obscure and mean, therefore they stumbled and were offended in him: To this Christ answereth,—Blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended (or scandalized) in me. The word rendered here (offended or scandaliz'd) seems to be a Metaphor taken from Travellers, who having dashed their Foot or Leg at some stone or block in the way, do stumble or take up an halt so as they can go no further, at least advance not so quickly in the way as they did. And Secondly, while he sayes Offended in me, take this first Actively; And so the meaning is, They should not take occasion of stumbling from any thing in Christ or in His Way. p. 3162. It may be taken Passively, so as to point out the Way that we should not stumble nor take up an halt in; For there are some wayes, to wit, Every sinful course and way, that it were good for People to stumble in, and turn their backs upon: But this Way wherein we should not stumble, is Christ Himself, and the Way of Truth and Piety prescrib'd by him, Blessed is he saith Christ) who shall not be offended in me. As if he had said, Happy is that Man who taketh not occasion from Me, or any thing in My Way, to stumble or turn his back upon Me, and that course of Truth and Piety wherein I have commanded him to walk.

The Words are but One entire Proposition and Sentence, I need not therefore spend time in dividing them; But shall come to the Doctrines.

First, The Lord applyeth the general Prophesies Concerning the Messias in the Old Testament to Himself in particular; shewing they were verified in Him; For the Words (in me) have in them a direct Answer to the Question propounded by John's Disciples, and shews the Messias was come; and that He is That Messias. Whence we might mark, That JESUS CHRIST the Son of Mary, who was Born in Bethlehem, brought up in Nazareth, and Crucified in Jerusalem, is that very same Messias, who was to Come and promised to the Fathers. We might observe 2ly, That before He gave this Answer that He was the promised Messias whom they were to follow, and not to stumble at, He doth first prove by Scripture that it was so, while he hids John's Disciples p. 317tell their Master, he was doing such miraculous Works as the Scriptures did foreshew none but Christ should do. Whence we might learn, That all Questions and Debates about Religion should be determined from Scripture, and according to the Rule set down in Scripture: For here when a Question ariseth among John's Disciples, If JESUS the Son of Mary was the promised Messias? neither John the Baptist (than whom there was not a Greater Prophet among these that are Born of Women) yea nor Christ himself who was Greater than he, do take it upon them to determine in it: But John sends them to Christ, and Christ sends them to the Scripture for a Solution. Thus, To the law and to the testimony (saith the Lord, Isai. 8. 20.) if they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. The neglect of this Rule hath been the In-let to Humane Traditions, without, and contrary to Scripture, both in Worship and Government in the Antichristian Church: And if this Rule once be laid aside, there can be no end of Humane Ceremonies, untill all that trash which is in the Roman Church be brought in upon the Church of God: For if the Authority of a Man can make way for One, it may also make way for all the rest.

But passing those, The two following Doctrines are these that I intend most to insist upon, And both of them are implyed. 1. That there are many stumbling Blocks in Christ's way, whereat People are apt to Offend, take up an Halt and stumble. And yet, Secondly, There is nothing of that kind which p. 318ought to make us stumble: For if there were not some stumbling Blocks, Christ needed not so much guard against them; and by his guarding against them, he shews we should not stumble at them.

I shall prosecute both these Poins joyntly. 1. By condiscending upon some of these Rocks of Offence from which the Jews at first, and many since, have taken occasion to stumble at Christ, to take up an Halt in his Way, and to turn their backs upon it. And 2. By making it evident that there is no ground or reason why ye should stumble at any of them.

First, The Jews stumbled at the Meanness of Christs Person. They could never take him, whom they looked on as a Carpenters Son, accompanyed with a Train of poor Fisher-men, to be their long looked-for Glorious Messias. And there is a Rock like to this which many yet do break their neck upon and stumble at, to wit, the Meanness of a Ministry; Their Spirits cannot digest to be reproved, contradicted, and (as they think) trampled upon, by silly Bodies: And therefore, they must have Ministers; some of them at least, advanced to the highest pitch of wordly Honour; As thinking it will be less disgrace to be controlled, reproved, and made to stand in awe by such; which is in effect to stumble at the Way which God thinks meetest for saving Souls; even that his Servants may have but little of outward Worldly Dignity, whereby the Efficacy of their work on Souls may not be imputed to them but to Him, and usually Gods own Way comes best speed, 2 Cor. 17. Paul, speaking of the mean and afflicted Condition p. 319of Christs Ministers, saith—We have this Treasure in Earthen Vessels, that the excellency of the Power may be of God and not of us.

2. The Jews stumbled at Christs Doctrine: The Doctrine of Justification by Faith laying hold on Christs Righteousness, Rom: 10. 3. They could not submit themselves unto the Righteousness of God. And his condemning of the very first Motions of the Heart to Sin; as appears by Christs vindicating the Law from the corrupt Glosses of the Scribes and Pharisees, Matth. 5. 18. &c. Thus the Doctrine of Christ, especially the strictness of it, and that acuracy of Holiness enjoyned by it, is a stumbling Block unto many yet: How many are they who would willingly embrace Christ's Doctrine, so as to profess themselves Christians; But to be so strick laced in your practice as that ye must dye to the World, deny your selves, pluck out the Right Eye, cut off the Right Hand, and so as ye dare not lye, no not for gain, nor Drink to Excess with your Commerads; nor Curse and Damn your selves, no not when ye are in …assion; no, nor avenge your selves with your own hand when ye have gotten a wrong; This they think sounds harsh, and must either have Liberty in things of that kind, otherwise they'l altogether quite It.

3. The Jews did stumble at the simplicity of the Gospel and Gospel Ordinances: They could not endure the laying aside of the Levitical Ceremonies, which made the Worship of God somewhat glorious to the Carnal Eye, and therefore was that way of p. 320Religion called, Gal: 4. 2. 3. The Rudiments of the World, and Pedagogy of the Law fitted for the Church while she was in her Infancy; as Rudiments and Pedagogues are for Babes and Children; Now that the Jew's did stumble at the Way of Christ because of it's simplicity, and because of the laying aside that outward dress of Mosaical Ceremonies. Is clear from the many Disputes which Paul hath throughout his Epistles to that purpose. And this hath been frequently a ground of Offence and stumbling to many since, who could not, or cannot think but God is better pleased with his Worship, when its decked up with a number of Humane Ceremonies, that may breed (as they think) Humility and Devotion in the Worshipers, than when its gone about in that plain simple way wherein Our Lord Jesus Christ hath enjoyned it. But this were to make People wiser than God; For if he had thought such things needful, or that they would prove acceptable to him, could he not easily have commanded them; But now he hath not only not commanded, but also forbidden any thing of that kind, Col: 2, 20. Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the Rudiments of the World… why, as though living in the World, are ye subject to Ordinances. Touch not, Taste not, Handle not; which all are to perish with the using after the Commandments and Doctrines of Men? Evidently teaching that the Lord did not abrogate His own Ceremonies under the Old Testament, that men might appoint Theirs under the New. And as to that which is suggested, That Humane Ceremonies added to Worship are a means p. 321to quicken Devotion, as the Papists affirm of their Images and Relicts; The Apostle tells us in the following 23 verse, Which things have indeed a shew of Wisdom in Will-worship and Humility— They seem to be such, but really are not: It's but A shew of Wisdom, Devotion and Humility which is wrought by any Mean of man's Invention.

4. Men are ready to stumble at Christ and his Way, because of the sinful Infirmities of Instruments and Ministers: Let them, say they, mend their own Faults, and we will mend ours; but as long as Ministers, the best among them, have their own Faults, some Pride, some Avarice, some Worse, Let them reprove our Faults as they please, we will hold on and be doing; For if Sin were as ill as they say it is, would not they themselves be more afraid of it: But herein ye must know that ye stumble at the Wisdom of God: For as ye heard from 2 Cor: 4. 7. We have this Treasure in Earthen Vessels, that the excellency of the Power may be of God, and not of us. He might have Preached to you by sinless Angels; But this makes more for the Glory of God, when he makes use of Men puzled with a Body of Death like your selves, as an Hammer in his Hand to beat down the Body of Death in others; For we must say in this Case, no Thanks to the Preacher, but unto God.

5. Men are ready to stumble at the Scandalous Out-breakings of others: Especially of those whom Christ hath employed as Instruments for promoting his Kingdom in Peoples Hearts; No doubt this made p. 322many stumble at Christ and his way, That Judas one of his Own Company for Covetousness did sell his Master, and hang'd himself afterwards. And indeed such Scandalous slips in those do prove dreadful Stumbling-blocks, First, To Profane men, who have no Love to Religion, but lie at a catch to lay hold on any thing whereby they may throw dirt upon it, and here they get the very thing they wish: Hence (saith Christ) Woe to the World because of Offences, They think themselves Happy because of Offences, For they have got that which makes Religion hateful: But our Lord saith, Woe be to them because of Offences, For they prove stumbling-blocks and break-necks to them. Again they prove dreadful stumbling blocks to Godly weak ones, whose face is thereby covered with shame, so as they have not the courage to go on in Christs Way, and set their Face against the storm of reproach, and disgrace, which is raised up with such like work: But notwithstanding, know there is no reason to stumble at Christ or his Way for any thing of that kind: Because 1. He approveth no such Scandalous outbreakings; His Word condemns them in all, and in none more than in his Followers: Because David by his fall made the Enemies of God to transgress, therefore the sword never departed from his House. 2. He permits such Offences to be, for holy wise and just Reasons, or that wicked men may thereby get occasion, to vent that inward Spite they still carried against Religion and Godliness; and so in Gods holy justice be permitted to break their necks upon them. p. 323And 3. That all (even the best) may see therein their own weakness before a tentation, and what unspeakable obligations they are under to God, That they are not made examples of humane frailty unto others, as others are to them. And 4ly That all may learn not to have the Persons of men in admiration, to love Truth and cleave unto it, not for the Piety of men who owne it, but from that worth that is in Truth it self: So as that tho the very Ministers themselves who Preach it should run away from it, or by their Scandalous outbreakings thro durt upon it, Yet ye may still adhere to it: In which case, that whereon others stumble and break their neck, should make you advance the faster in your way, and God should bring you meat out of the eater.

A 6th thing that proves a stumbling block unto many is, Diversity of Opinions: There are so many Religions, and Opinions about Religion, they know not which to follow, let all men once agree among themselves and then thy, I'l choose, but till then they'l forbear; and so in effect do mock at all Religion. But neither should this be: For in the deep wisdom of God There must be Heresies—that they which are approved may be made manifest. 1 Cor: 11. 19. Besides It lyeth not in the Devils power so to confound matters but that humble seekers of God will find out the right way, He that guids the blind in a way they know not, will lead such: There are proud conceity People, even tho otherwise good, and there are also Careless profane People, that is, Such as look upon all Religion as Policy; who are most p. 324like among such uncertainties, to lose their way.

7. People are ready to stumble at Christ and his way, Because of the Quality of his followers; It's the Poor receive the Gospel: John 7. 48. Have any of the Rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him? And as Christs Followers are of the poorest sort; So usually the Cross is their Livery Through many tribulations (saith Paul) they must enter the Kingdom of Heaven. And who is Poor, sickly, tender, despised, mocked at, afflicted in body and mind, if Christs Followers be not? But there is no Reason for stumbling at Christ and his Way for this; And if thou stumble at it, thou stumbles at the wisdom of God, who 1 Cor: 1. 27—Hath chosen the foolish things of the World, to confound the wise; and—the weak things of the World to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the World, and things which are despised, hath God chosen— And as to the Cross they get noe more of it than what is needful for them 1. Peter 1, 6—Though for a season (if need be) ye are in heaveness— It is needful, and they find it needful; so as many times they will be made to say, they could not want one dram of it; besides that the bitter Cross makes Christ the sweeter to them, and so sweet, as to furnish them with more contentment in their Crossed condition, than a King hath, who swayeth a scepter; Psalm 4. 6. The light of Gods countenance made David Glad &c. To this add, Their Heaven is not here; and the Lord of purpose maketh earth bitter to his followers, that Heaven may be the sweeter when it cometh.

8. Not only common Calamities from God, but p. 325bitter persecutions from men, attend the way of Godliness; and these make many stumble and take up an halt. Christ our Lord Matth. 13. 21. Speaks of a sort of men, who—when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by they are offended. And the experience of all times sheweth that many formerly forward do then faint: Neither want they their pretended Reasons, for they are made to suffer as evil doers, often as disloyal or seditious persons, which to some, makes sufferings more terrible than any other thing. Again, they'l but faint and shame the Truth when they are put to it, and therefore think it better to quite it in time; And how can they be answerable to God, to run the hazard of losing all they have in the World, and to make themselves and posterity Beggars; To this add, what if sufferings should run higher than goods, even to their life? They are not ready to dye, and so they may lose their Souls; besides they yeild but in a little, but quit not all; and therefore it is not wisdom (think they) to be too peremptor, These and such like Reasons make many stumble at Persecution and a suffering Lot, when it attends God's way and those that walk in it; But there is as little cause to stumble at Christ and His Way, at this, as for the rest; For seeing Christ our Lord and Master went to Heaven through a sea of many sad sufferings, why should it be look'd upon as a matter unbeseeming, or a ground of stumbling, that it is with the Servants as it was with their Lord, and with the Disciples as it was with their Master: Christ strives to prevent his p. 326Disciples stumbling by the same Reason, John 15, 15. Again, a Suffering Lot hath still, when it followed Christ's Fellowers, made Christs Way, the Way of Truth and Piety, a gainer: It hath ever proven so, as might be made appear both from Scripture and Ecclesiastick History: As it was with the Apostle Paul Phi…p. 1. 12. So hath it been, and so it will be, with all Christ's suffering Followers—I would (saith he) Ye should understand—that the things which happened unto me, have fallen out rather to the furtherance of the Gospel: This ever hath, is, and will be, God's none-such Way, wherein none can follow him, to make his Truth, his Work, his Church, his Interests, thrive best when they are born down most: As the Children of Israel Exod: 1. 12. Who—the more they were afflicted, the more they multiplied and grew and therefore to stumble at Christ's way because of Persecution, and a suffering Lot which usually doth attend it, is nothing else but to break our neck upon the deep and infinite wisdome of God; because he takes his own Way, the surest and speediest way, to make his Church to grow; and will not take Ours. Besides all these pretexts and excuses of stumbling on this account may be easily answered: For tho it hath been the lot of Gods Servants, even when they have suffered for Righteousness, to be suffering in the eye of the World as evil Doers; yet, in that case men must think it enough that they approve themselves unto God; and that there is a day coming when their integrity shall be brought forth as the Light. 1, Cor: 4 3—with me (saith the p. 327Apostle) it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's Judgment—he that judgeth me is the Lord. Again none ever suffered that for him which he did suffer for them; He takes nothing from men but what he hath first given unto them, neither puts he them to more than what he doth fit and strengthen them for: It holdeth constantly, In the mount the Lord will be seen. And 1 Pet: 4. 14. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of Glory and of God resteth on you— And when People are put to the outmost of what can be expected, even to lay down their Lives; what is it but a paying of their debt a little sooner? For once die they must: And tho they should shift the matter at that time, how quickly may God take their life from them another way; possibly in a long lingering and pineing sickness, with greater torment, and a gnawing worm of Conscience besides: and for any loss of goods, Lands, and inheritance, that either People themselves, or others of their Relations may sustain, by cleaving to Christ's Way in a suffering time; It is not to be valued to the loss of God's favour and countenance, which cannot but follow, if men do otherwise; God's peace and Favour, the light of his countenance listed up, is that Hundred fold, more than houses, brethren, sisters, Children, and Lands, which a man who suffereth the loss of all these things for Christ's sake and the Gospels, shall receive even now in this life: As our Saviour teacheth Mark. 10. 29, 30. So besides that God hath a thousand ways to make up to men any loss of that kind: at least so p. 328far, as no man who sets his face towards Heaven, shall want a competency for carrying him there, and when a man's once there, he needs no more: Matth: 6. 33—Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. And many things may fall out that may impoverish you, in which ye will neither have that honour nor satistisfaction which attends the Christians loss for Christs sake. And tho ceding for a little might put a storm of trouble by; yet he that is not faithful in the little, will never be faithful in that which is more; and it is Satan's Policy at all times to draw out the cause of sufferings to small things; As Moses's Hoof, Mordecart's Beck, and Daniel's opening of his window: In which case, to wit, the case of Confession, even small things become great. From all which It's aboundantly clear there is no real Reason why any should stumble at Christ and his Way, because of Peresecution, or a suffering lot which usually doth attend it.

But a Ninth and Last thing which makes People, ready to stumble at Christ and his Way, and not only at one piece of his way, but the whole bulk of Godliness, and turn perfect Atheists, is, The temporizing temper of Ministers▪ When, Alas so much the more is our shame! it is usually observed the generality of Ministers (almost of all Countries▪) are of that Religion and Way which is most in Credit, and which the sway of the Court runs most for: Thus among Papists, almost all are Papists; In Sweden and Denmark, almost all are Lutherans: And here with p. 329Us, and in France and Holland, almost all are Calvinists: And that which increaseth the Scandal and Rock of Offence is, When it is observed they easily turn their Tongues to speak the language of all times, forewardly crying up such a Way the one year, when the Ruling Power is for it, and not only crying it up, but engaging their Credit and Conscience by the most solemn Tyes which can be imagin'd amongst Men to promote it, and pressing, with all the most serious vehemency that Men can use, upon the Lords People to do the like. And yet when times change, and that they perceive the promoting of such a Way doth not make for their Worldly interest, they will cry it as much down again: As if there were no respect to be had, either to God, Conscience, or Credit; but only to Peoples Interest and Standing. Thus in the dayes of Constantine the Great a Godly Prince, all the Ministers almost were Orthodox: Again, in his Son Constantius his dayes, almost all of them (even the same Men who had been at the Council of Nice and condemn'd the Arian Heresy) turned Arians: Hence it was then said, Vnus Athanasius contra totum mundum. And as it was in that Age, so hath it been almost ever since, The sway of the Court and Ruling Power of the Times, hath carried with it the generality of Ministers too great a length, to say and unsay, as they did enjoin them. This I grant is indeed a Rock, which of any other hath in it most of Offence, a Rock whereon many a Soul hath made Shipwrack: And if the mighty Power of God did not preserve his own Elect, p. 330It were a Worlds wonder, if it did not banish all sence of Religion out of the World, making all Flesh turn Irreligious Atheists: But notwithstanding the Word of the Lord doth furnish us with something to say of this Rock also; that there is no reason why any should stumble at Christ's Way for it. And 1. Because both Scripture and Humane Histories do shew, That though it hath been so almost in all times; yet the Lord hath guided the matter so, that he hath still keep'd a Church to Himself. I have shewed so much already from Church History in Constantine's time: And for Scripture History, Ye know in Elijah's time, 1 Kings 19. 14. The torrent of Defection was so prevalent, that for any thing could appear to such a sagacious Man as Elijah, He, and he only, was left alone. And Rev. 3. 4. There were but a few Names left in Sardis which had not defiled their Garments with the Iniquity of the Times. 2. This may also contribute to remove stumbling, That the Lord, amongst all the most general Defections of Ministers, hath ever keeped some streight: So as the Way of Truth and Piety is not left without a Witness, and some encouragement to those that walk in it. In Achab's time there was one Elias, yea several others, tho Elias knew not of them: And in Sardis there were a few names at least, who had not defiled their Garments. Whe… the Arians so far prevailed, that it was said, the whole World groaned and wondred at it self that it became Arian, yet there was One Athanasius. And when Antichrist was to prevail, it is shown Rev. 11. p. 3313. That notwithstanding all the Tyranny of Antichrist, and the torrent of Corruption in these times, God should have His Two, that is, tho not many, yet some few Witnesses.

3. The Lord in His deep Wisdom doth measure out such a Dispensation for heightning His Churches Tryal, And that these who keep their Garments clean may come forth as Gold. It is but an inconsiderable Tryal, and calls for little Resolution to stand it out, When all the Lord's Ministers speak one thing, lifting up their Voice as a Trumpet, and denouncing the dreadful Judgements of God on all who turn their back on Truth and Piety; But when the generality of Ministers at any time do blow the Trumpet of Defection from the Lord, That speaks Loyalty indeed, If then, notwithstanding such Defection, People stand to the Lords Banner, and in nothing be moved from it: And that because the Trumpet gives an uncertain sound, speaking one thing one day and another thing the next: So that to stumble at Christ's Way because of this when it falleth out, is to stumble at the Wisdom of God.

4. Therefore should no Man stumble at Christ nor His Way for this, because the Lord in all times hath made it, and no doubt will yet make it, tend to the advantage of His Way in the close; So as afterwards, times growing more favourable, the Church of God hath thereby been freed from a Fleece of Time-servers, who would never otherwayes have discovered themselves: Besides that others who through weakness, had turned aside in some degre… p. 332with the torrent of the time, somewhat against their Heart, have been made to acknowledge their weakness to God's Glory: And so make up by their Repentance, the breach they had made on God's Way by their Fall. And consequently for any to stumble at Christ's Way because of This, is to break their neck on that, which in God's method doth make His Way most lovely in the Close.

There are other Two Points yet which might be handled jointly as the former; The one Expressed, The other Implyed, and both of them serve to confirm the last, to wit, That whatever we meet with in Christ's Way, we should not love Christ nor His Way the less: None of these things should make us take up an halt in His Way, much less turn our back upon it. For 1. It is an happy thing not to stumble at Christ or His Way: This is expressed in the Text. 2. The Man who is offended in Christ, who turneth his back upon Him because of Stumbling-blocks or Rocks of Offence in the Way, That Man is an unhappy Man and cursed. I might prosecute both these Points, but for the time I shall forbear, and only say something in Answer to a needful Question: I think one may readily ask what I call Christ's Way whereat we should not stumble; For there are Men and Parties of several wayes, There are Papists and Protestants, Sectaries, Socinians, Formalists, Anabaptists, Prelatists or Episcop…l-men, Presbyterians, Independents, and Quakers, every one whereof, have their Own Way about Religion; And no doubt all of them will call their Own Way Christ's Way: And p. 333therefore it is needful to know which of these wayes are Christ's Way indeed, that so we may not turn our backs upon it. In Answer to which Question, It cannot be expected (if it were but for the time) I can enter in a Debate concerning what is Right or Wrong, what is Christs, what is not Christs in All those Wayes; I shall therefore only give you some general Directions for finding out what is Christ's Way amidst the tide and torrent of so many contrary Opinions: And these such, that upon the one hand I think there is no Man having his right Wits about him, with the least Grain of Piety, but he must give his Assent unto them; And yet such as through God's Blessing, being rightly improven, shall not leave you without a Guide what to choose as God's Way, and what not.

First then, I doubt not it will be taken for granted by All. That the Way of Christ whereat we should not stumble, are the Essentialls of Piety and Christianity; I mean Faith in Jesus Christ, Repentance unto Life, Holiness and tenderness of Walk in eschewing all known Sin, and coming up to the Practice of all known Duty: This is it I intended mainly all alongs, to wit, That notwithstanding all the forementioned Rocks of Offence, ye would not turn Profligate, Profane, Debauch'd, and Irreligious Atheists; but hold on in the Way of substantial Piety notwithstanding of all, and over the belly of all.

2. But this is not all: It's but a loose way of Religion, and very near to no Religion at all, for a Man to pretend to no more but adhere to the Practice of substantial p. 334Duties, and the Faith of Fundamental Truths, while in other things he sayes and unsays, and rolls about with the times: For hereby they may suffer the Devil to do with the most part of Scripture what he pleases: For Truths absolutely necessary to Salvation are but few, the Lord in Mercy having so provided, that the meanest capacity may explicitly comprehend them and all of them, seing they cannot be saved without them: But tho there be some few Truths only of absolute necessity for Salvation; yet there are others in their own kind also necessary, to wit, for Gods Glory and your own Comfort, and the Lord will have you sticking closs by these Truths once knowing them to be Truths, as well as by others; and that because a great part of Christ's Way lyeth in a Mans adherence even to these Truths, to wit, God's Glory and the Mans own Comfort: And a Profane loose and indifferent Spirit as to these, doth both in the nature of the thing and in God's just Judgement, beget in progress of time, Profane Indifferency and Atheism as to other more great and substantial Truths: So doth the Apostle Paul inform the Galatians, Ch. 5. 9. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

Thus then the great Question is to know which is Christ's Way in Truths of that sort, that so we may not stumble at it: For which in the first place take Paul's Rule, Philipp. 3. 16. Nevertheless whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same Rule. And 2 John 8. Look to your selves that we lose not these things that we have wrought—In a word, whatever p. 335a Man is perswaded on good ground to be Christ's Way, let him stick closly by That as his way, and whatever he meet with, beware of doing any thing wherein his own Heart will condemn him. I say this, because there are some Truths of an inferiour Nature, which are as clearly revealed in Scriptures as other more substantial Truths: And consequently a Man may as much be perswaded of the one as the other: And tho another Man may think, or say he is perswaded of the contrary Error that it is Truth, and be deceived: Yet it follows not that the Man who is perswaded of Truth to be Truth is deceived likewise; There is a Man who in his Dream thinks certainly he is awake and speaking, that Man certainly is deceived: But it were a strange thing to conclude from that, that the Man who is really awake cannot know if he is so, but must alwayes suspect he may be deceived and in a Dream.

This much then for things out of Doubt, and wherein a Man upon good grounds hath attained to a full perswasion of the Truth that is in them. But the greatest Question of all is, concerning Points of the Truth whereof we are not absolutely perswaded without some scruple and ground of Doubt to the contrary, how we may know what is God's Way in those. And for this I shall give you some Marks. 1st. The Light of Nature will teach us in things Doubtful to encline to the surest and safest side, and that against which least can be said: As for Example, in that Controversy concerning the adding of Sacred significant Ceremonies invented by Man to God's p. 336Worship: As; Bowing to Altars, Kneeling at the Communion, Signing with the Cross at Baptism, &c. Those who plead such Additions to be superstitious and unlawful, do bring Deutr. 12. 32. What things soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it, And such like Scriptures for a Proof. The Patrons of Ceremonies answer▪ That God forbiddeth such Additions only which are contrary to the Word, but not such as are besides the Word neither forbidden nor commanded by it. Now that is the very Answer which Papists give to Our Protestant Divines, while we use the same Scripture for an Argument against all their superstitious Ceremonies invented by Men: And indeed if that Door be once opened, a Door is opened not only for one or two, but all the Ceremonies of the Church of Rome, for on that ground only do they plead for them: When we ask what Warrand have they from Scripture for their frequent Crossings, their use of Salt, Spitle, Exorcisms in Baptism, their use of Holy Water, Baptising of Bells, Pilgrimages, and Pennances? They Answer it is enough of Warrand for the Church to Command them, that they are not expresly condemned in Scripture. Now seing the way that is pleaded for such Ceremonies casts up so wide a gap; It's sure, that to abstain from them altogether, is the safest.

2. That Way in things Doubtful is most like to be Christ's, the Chief Promoters whereof are not carried on with by-ends, self designs to acquire Worldly Honours or Riches, or Fa… Benifices to themselves, p. 337but on the contrary, the very thing they plead for, and that part of the Contradiction which they mantain, is, That nothing of that kind, further than honest Compitency, and Ministerial respect, should be bestowed on Christ's Ministers. And upon the other hand, it is a shrewd Presumption at least that such a Way is not Christ's, wherein the Chief Promoters do palpably seek themselves and their own Worldly Interests: The Apostle Paul useth to lay great weight on this Mark, especially Rom. 16. 18.—Such serve not our Lord Iesus Christ, but their own belly—So that if they seek their own Bellies they serve not our Lord Jesus Christ. And Philipp. 3. 18, 19—Many walk—that are the enemies of the Cross of Christ—whose God is their belly—who mind earthly things. If it be evidently seen they mind earthly things, They are but Enemies to the Cross of Christ.

3. When People doubt about several Wayes which of them is Christ's Way, they are to stick by that unto which they are most engaged, and by more solemn tyes obliged, until (at least) they be clearly convinced it is wrong, for very common understanding will judge That to be the surest.

4. That way which by the grant of its Adversaries hath ground in Scripture for it; tho they also say men may change it, must certainly look more like Christ's Way than the contrary which is confessed by its prime Maintainers to have no ground in Scripture, but that the great Warrand which is given for it, doth…ly in the Authority of men. Even an heathen King Artaxerxes did know so much, that every thing in the House of p. 338God behooved to be done according to the revealed will of God; whence he issueth forth a Decree Ezra; 7, 23. Whatsoever is commaded by the God of Heaven, let it be diligently done, for the house of the the God of heaven: for why should their be wrath against the realm of the King and his Sons?

Lastly, That which tends most to the promoting of Piety, and is attended most with the Fruits of a Godly life, and tender conversation in it's most eminent mantainers and followers, and this not for a little short flash only at it's first beginning and when it is as it were upon it's Tryals, but at all times when ever there was any Controversie about it, That Way I say looketh most like to Christs Way: For all His Way and every Piece of it tendeth unto That to make People lead a Godly and Holy life Titus 2. 11—The Grace of God that bringeth Salvation, hath appeared to all men: Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and Godly, in this present World. And upon the contrary, That way, whereof the most zealous mantainers and and followers, as to their generality have been still plagued with prophanity and looseness; That way I say looks not like the way of Christ. Wee'l find Christ himself doth lean no small weight on this Mark Matth. 7. 15, 16 Where he gives a general rule whereby to try false Prophets and teachers, to wit, The Fruits and Effects which their Doctrine hath upon their own Lives and Conversations Ye shall know them (saith he) by their fruits: Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles. And verse 20. p. 339Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Now all these things are such undoubted Truths as none will get them deny'd in the general, and yet such as through Gods Blessing being rightly improven, may give People light in the former Question, To know which is Christ's Way, among the many waye… on foot in the Church of God; so as we need not any further application, but exhort you with the Apostle Paul 2 Tim: 2. 7. Consider what I say, and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.